Manoj Kumar had an ear for music: veteran composer Anandji Virji Shah

Kalyanji-Anandji scored music for a number of of Kumar’s films akin to “Himalay Ki God Mein” , “Upkar”, “Purab Aur Paschim” , and “Kalyug Aur Ramayan” .

Kumar, who got here to be often called ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his roles in a collection of superhit patriotic movies, died on Friday in a hospital right here following age-related points. He was 87.

“Manoj Kumar was a implausible director. He had an ear for music. He was additionally expert at enhancing and writing tales and possessed a deep information of India’s historical past.

“So, when he depicted India in his movies, whether or not it was ‘Purab Aur Paschim’ or ‘Upkar’, he remained sincere in his portrayal and feelings by way of story and songs, and that’s why they resonated with folks. He was very devoted to his work and by no means bought upset if any individual made any options,” Anandji advised PTI in an interview right here.

The tune “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” from “Upkar”, which marked Kumar’s directorial debut, was a landmark second of their collaboration.

Picturised on Kumar, the observe was penned by Gulshan Kumar Mehta and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. “Mere Desh Ki Dharti”, a heartfelt anthem that sings paen for India’s agricultural richness, evokes a way of nationwide delight even right this moment.

In keeping with the 92-year-old composer, Kumar’s openness to suggestions made their inventive endeavours not solely fruitful but additionally joyful.

“This tune wouldn’t have been made with out Manoj ji and all the opposite individuals who have been a part of it. We simply adopted the story and character transient given to us by Manoj ji,” mentioned Shah, including it took them over 12 hours to compose the observe.

“The tune was initially written by Gulshan Bawraji, and it was written as ‘Iss Desh Ki Dharti’. We used to work as a crew, so we mentioned, ‘Let’s make it ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti’’ as a result of it turns into private, and musically, it sounded higher,” he recalled.

Anandji mentioned it was Kumar’s thought to put the tune “Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafa” in “Upkar” proper earlier than the movie’s interval.

Within the movie, Kumar performed Bharat, who was each a farmer and a soldier, the 2 pillars of the nation. It additionally starred Prem Chopra, Asha Parekh, Kamini Kaushal, Pran, and Madan Puri.

“It was the primary time that Pran ji was not taking part in a villain, however as a personality actor. So, they needed to make the tune a bit totally different. This tune was imagined to be carried out earlier than the film’s interval.

“Usually, earlier than the interval, when there’s a tune, folks begin stepping out of the theatre for varied causes. However Manoj ji mentioned, ‘No, no person will stand up on this tune’. That’s what occurred,” the composer mentioned.

He additionally credit Kumar for giving significance to the background rating in a movie.

“Manoj ji all the time was eager on the music half, after which for the background. He had made one level, which all the time helped us within the music profession, that each character ought to have a unique background theme.

“So, if there’s a hero, then he would wish a unique background theme than a heroine or villain. We adopted that all through our profession.”

Anandji mentioned Kumar performed a key function in getting the enduring tune “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala” added to Chandra Barot’s 1978 blockbuster “Don”, starring Amitabh Bachchan, on the final minute.

“Manoj ji had come for the trials of the preview of Chandra Barot’s movie ‘Don’ and he recommended to him that the movie is getting slightly heavy. ‘Why do not you add a tune?’ he mentioned. That is when one other iconic tune, ‘Khai Ke Paan Banaras Wala’ occurred. We had composed this tune for an additional movie with Dev Anand, nevertheless it wasn’t used,” he recounted.

This text was generated from an automatic information company feed with out modifications to textual content.